THE HEALING TONGUE Part 2

The poor man went about his work each day. Each evening he returned home and talked to his new son and daughter as they ate their evening meal. He told them tales of the wonders of the world. He described the rising sun, and he talked about the stars and the moon. He drew pictures of fields where he worked, and when the children were ready to go to bed, he sang them songs until, with smiles upon their faces, they fell fast asleep. Soon the poor man’s new children were smiling. Within days they began to laugh, and soon they were singing and gaining weight. Color came to their cheeks, and they woke with a sparkle in their eyes. They played with the other children of the village. The poor man’s new children were happy indeed, for they loved the tales their new father told them. They loved the way he shared his knowledge and stories of his ancestors.
 

The chief, meanwhile, grew weary of trying to please his new children. He packed their bags and sent his servants to return them to their father, asking that his own children com home in return. When the servants arrived at the poor man’s home, the chief’s children greeted them with a friendly smile.” Hello, come in,” the chief’s daughter smiled.” Welcome to our happy home,” said the chief’s son.

“We’ve come to take you back to your father,” the servants said.” The chief wishes you to be his children again, and he will give you any gift you wish.” But the chief’s children shook their heads. ”No,” said his daughter.” I’m happy here listening to the tales of the world and hearing our new father’s songs”. "We do not wish to return to our father’s home,” said the son. The servants returned to the chief and told him what the children said. The chief was furious, and he ran all the way to the poor man’s house.” Children,” he cried, amazed at the change in his daughter’s look, at the joy he saw in his son’s eyes. “What has this poor man done? How is it that he has made you so happy?” The chief’s children told him the tales the poor man had told them. They describe the sun and the moon and the stars, and they sang the songs they had learned.

The chief listened, and suddenly he understood.” The meat of the tongue,” he said, nodding, taking the poor man’s hand in his.” You are a wise man, indeed,” he said, “for you know the greatest gift a parent can offer his children is his companionship, and his wisdom, and his words. You have taught me well.”
 

The chief’s children, seeing that their father understood, returned to their home, and forever afterward, the chief gave his children the greatest gift imaginable. He gave them his love and attention and filled their lives with songs and stories.

(a tale from East Africa)